Meet Grace, our new Girls Leadership Coordinator!

My name is Grace Millar and I am a new Girls Leadership Coordinator at the Women’s Centre of Calgary. I grew up in Rockyview Country with three older brothers and one older sister. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Rehabilitation from the University of Calgary and a diploma in Disability Studies from Mount Royal University. My background is in the disability field with a focus on advocacy and inclusion. I value harm reduction and inclusive practices that support women to be successful in all aspects of their lives.

What is your personal definition of feminism?

Feminism to me is the value of equal access and opportunity for all the sexes. I believe feminism is an inclusive evolving ideology of feminism, which grows with societies and individuals.

What brought you to the Women’s Centre of Calgary?

I was first drawn to the Women’s Centre of Calgary because of the organization’s community based, and strength based approach to supporting women. I believe the Women’s Centre brings belonging and value for women, and I am happy to be a part of that team.

What’s one thing you hope to learn at the Women’s Centre?

My role at the Women’s Centre is with young girls, and through that I hope to understand how gender issues impact young girls today. With my background in disability advocacy; I also hope to learn more about the intersection between gender and disability.

Describe a woman who you admire or who has influenced your life.

Growing up I struggled academically and was labelled coded at an early age, this brought about exclusion and barriers for me academically. It wasn’t until I reached high school where the resource teacher, Mrs. Mooney, believed I could be successful. I remember in her class room she had a large frog graffiti mural, which stood as a representation of her eccentric alternative way to learning and how society perceives girls in education. Mrs. Mooney was the driving force that got me through grade school, and inspired me to pursue further education.